Problem with the word (deceleration)

Hi all, i think the word deceleration is used incorrectly and can cause problems for students learning physics
For example, if i start from rest and run as fast as i can until i eventually more at a constant speed. Then my interperetation of this is that (i) i accelerate at some rate (ii) continually reduce my acceleration until, (iii) I move with an approximate constant speed.
The word decelerate implies a relatively smaller magnitude acceleration ( as in (ii) above.
Often, deceleration is used to describe a reverse acceleration without any consideration of its magnitude as in example 2.

If I start from rest, run as fast as possible to top speed and stop as quick as possible. For this situation my so called deceleration has a higher magnituded than the forward acceleration.

Am I on the right track or do I simply misunderstand the English language?

If you avoid using the word "decelerate" except when describing real cars in traffic situations then you will have no difficulty. Positive and negative acceleration are all you need and the Maths takes care of everything.

'Moving backwards' and 'forwards' could also give problems but we usually discuss positive and negative velocities in Physics. AND in front or behind would usually be indicated by a simple (co-ordinate) sign.

Thanks for all comments. All points taken. However, I still have a problem with the English language.
Yes deceleration is a reverse acceleration for example applying the brakes in a car. Yes you decelerate.
But the word (de) _ hits me.

The problem is not so much the word "deceleration", which means "reduction of speed", but rather the word "acceleration", which has two different meanings:
- vectorial : any change of the velocity vector
- scalar : increase of velocity vector magnitude (speed)
That ambiguity is causing much more confusion for students.